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Hover flies in as rain fails to put a dampener on Hunstanton RNLI flag day

Lifeboats News Release

Stormy Stan might have been more like Soggy Stan as the heavens opened but not even some good old-fashioned Bank Holiday weather could put a dampener on Hunstanton RNLI's flag day on 24 August.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hovercraft Samburgh flew in for Hunstanton RNLI's flag day

Hovercraft Samburgh flew in for an impromptu display on the beach as the tide went out, with her four-strong crew putting the iconic search and rescue craft through its paces.

They welcomed a steady stream of visitors - including young supporters keen to be photographed with the vessel by their mums and dads.

Elsewhere around a dozen volunteers hit the streets of the seaside town armed with collection buckets and stickers.

Members of the lifeboat station's shop team and the Hunstanton and West Norfolk RNLI Guild staffed a merchandise stall at the end of the High Street.

And despite the downpours, business was brisk for the hardy souls who braved the weather.

'This must be what they mean when they say we volunteer to face the storm together,' one smiled.

Proceeds from the day are still being counted. Derek Greening, chair of the guild, said: 'Despite the poor weather, we've been very pleased with the number of people who've turned out to support us.

'The money we've raised will all go towards saving lives at sea.'

Notes to editors

Hunstanton is one of Norfolk's busiest lifeboat stations, operating both the inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

It covers The Wash, a tidal estuary fed by five main rivers of more than 100 square miles, along with parts of the north Norfolk coastline.

Like more than 200 RNLI stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, its lifesaving work could not be possible without the kindness of those who give donations or leave legacies to the charity that saves lives at sea.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of both the RNLI and the founding of a lifeboat service at Hunstanton.

RNLI media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219, Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641, or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

From left, volunteers Roger Smith, Charlie Parfitt, Ian Devenney, Charles le Strange Meakin, Ivan Espley and Justin Aldiss at the Hunstanton RNLI flag day

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Volunteer Jeff Wooldridge collecting at Hunstanton RNLI's flag day

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Stormy Stan was more like Soggy Stan as the rain set in

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Volunteers from the station souvenir shop and Hunstanton and West Norfolk Lifeboat Guild staffed a souvenir stall

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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